Description
Warm, cozy, and bursting with sweet apple-cinnamon flavor — this Apple Breakfast Casserole is the ultimate holiday brunch showstopper. With tender baked apples, custardy bread, and a buttery brown sugar topping, it’s like French toast and apple pie had a delicious baby.
Ingredients
6 cups cubed brioche or challah bread (about 1 loaf)
3 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
6 large eggs
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp butter, melted
Powdered sugar or maple syrup for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Spread cubed bread evenly in the dish and top with diced apples.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt.
4. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread and apples, pressing gently so everything soaks.
5. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
6. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until golden and set in the center.
7. Let cool slightly before serving.
8. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup for a festive finish.
Notes
🍎 Tip 1: Use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples for the perfect sweet-tart balance.
🥖 Tip 2: Assemble the night before and refrigerate — bake fresh in the morning!
🍯 Tip 3: Add raisins or chopped pecans for extra texture.
🥞 Tip 4: Swap brioche for cinnamon swirl bread for an indulgent twist.
🎄 Tip 5: Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt for holiday flair.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: apple breakfast casserole, holiday brunch, baked french toast, apple cinnamon breakfast, make-ahead brunch